Talon 520 labeled for Honda Xr600, lc4, exc. Direct fit with the lc8. And so is every other Xr600 sprocket, they have the same patern and 10mm holes.

That's really good info.

Forgive me for not keeping up on my bike but do you need to machine the actual rear sprocket or just the carrier? The carrier seems like a better solution if the idea is to move the assembly inboard and it's just aluminum. Okay back to my other life...

The carrier needs to be machined regardless of what chain is used. For these first couple of sprockets I guess we'll have to use the Talon aluminum ones StevenD mentioned. Once AFAM starts on their steel 520s we can switch to those for durability. I've been trading voicemails with Sporting Wood about his 520 experience, which in the brief messages exchanged so far, seem to work fine.

I also spoke with DID about what is the best chain for the application. After getting through the 'well we recommend not going under manufacturers' recommendations' firewall I got a tech guy that said the 520ERV3 is their best narrow 520 chain. It is rated for 750cc sportbikes so using on a 950 twin is not a stretch (he he). Its used on GP bikes and by the current Dakar race teams. It is rivet only, as most high strength chains are, and seems to be commonly available. Coincidentally, I also received an email from DID Japan saying that they can ship 420V rivet links in about 4 weeks. I will purchase a handful to have but think going with the 520 rear chain is the good move anyway. This way we'll be able to use the clip or rivet link on the smaller chains. If the clip is used on the 420V chain it has to be done with the clip side facing the engine cases. If not, it will machine a groove through the lower frame rail.

The carrier needs to be machined regardless of what chain is used. For these first couple of sprockets I guess we'll have to use the Talon aluminum ones StevenD mentioned. Once AFAM starts on their steel 520s we can switch to those for durability. I've been trading voicemails with Sporting Wood about his 520 experience, which in the brief messages exchanged so far, seem to work fine.

I also spoke with DID about what is the best chain for the application. After getting through the 'well we recommend not going under manufacturers' recommendations' firewall I got a tech guy that said the 520ERV3 is their best narrow 520 chain. It is rated for 750cc sportbikes so using on a 950 twin is not a stretch (he he). Its used on GP bikes and by the current Dakar race teams. It is rivet only, as most high strength chains are, and seems to be commonly available. Coincidentally, I also received an email from DID Japan saying that they can ship 420V rivet links in about 4 weeks. I will purchase a handful to have but think going with the 520 rear chain is the good move anyway. This way we'll be able to use the clip or rivet link on the smaller chains. If the clip is used on the 420V chain it has to be done with the clip side facing the engine cases. If not, it will machine a groove through the lower frame rail.

Some progress but still dying to get this beast rolling.

Hey Chris, I have a couple of the modified supersprox rears you could use to test fit too. Nice thing about them is that the center is aluminum and machines easy but the teeth are hardened steel. I don't know how well aluminum teeth will hold out with the big bikes weight and torque!

Hey, let's be fair - five years ago was the "first" rebuild. I rode it for two years and then blew the engine and started the next one. So my ratio of building to riding is... um, really sad.

Yeah, this is dragging on a bit. I had a second kid and he's already riding a bicycle. By pretty much any measure this is taking a while. In many ways I've sort of forgotten that I ever rode this bike and it's become more like a performance art piece where I assemble and disassemble the bike ad infinitum.

Actually Tommy was out at Chris's shop yesterday and he took a couple of photos of my bike. Sad that I have to rely on friends to get my progress reports...

But, wow, nice work on the chain housing there Chris. Sure would be nice to see some more photos...

The good news is that it's going to be winter again soon and that's the perfect time to test the FCR chokes. Chris should also have his FCR/CPR foam filter mount by then so we can test that on the dyno as well.